The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-04

/ ward. Swineleron said:
what you going to show me In your
i school historyP
Why, twas the Declaration, sir, an the Fare
| we'll Address, an"
/ .iAil right-go and fetch the book"
Away went little Dennis. returning soon with
| the book open in two places, couple of dirty
/ fingers serving as book-marks.
/ Here they are, sir" said the boy ssan'
| just show you what parts told you about"
.I'l take your word for than. my boy said
Swingleton. II think, though, I'll read tae docu
ments through, as to get the sense of the
| quotations better"
II can save ye trouble. sir. il ye like" said
| Dennis. "for know both of 'em by heart an say
| 'em off as easy as me prayers"
'You dol" exclaimed Swneeton, with such
| emphasis and with face so solemn that the boy
| seemed half inclined TO admit that he had done
/ something wrong ''You dot" the repeated
| putting his hand into his pocket. Then here's
| 81 for you. to spend for irecrackers on the
| Fourth There's nothing else in the book to
which you'd call my attention, is theref'
IF you please, sir, / can show you the picture
of all of EN- a-signin' the Declaraton-dad says
| it's grand sight, cause twas such a plucky
| piece of business. Here they are there's JEFF
! ferson, and that one that's bare-foo.ed all over
mis- head is Franklin. an-oh, yes here's pict-
| ure of John Hancock's signature-tnat's the
kind O. writin I'm goin' to practice till get'
.Hm-tis handsomsr signature than mine,
isn't it9'
II amt sayin' it's any better, SIR" said the
boy tlmidly. "but-but it looks as if it meant
lots more"
Very well; now 20 ahead at committing your
Fourth of July song to memory; you may sing
it. too, IL you want to. or whistle it."
So sudden aud great acquisition Of liberty
was more than the boy could comprehend in
instant he went outside and turned two
handsprings to assist him. As for John Swingle
ton he slowly read and reread the two old writ
ings which long before he had committed to the
oblivion of his mental rubbish heap Then he
looked intently for some moments at the
| shabby wood which Denriss father regarded
as grand
Next morning the impecunious Truegate, who
still was in default of interest and principal was
| terribly frightened by receiving call from his
creditor in person, but amaZement replaced his
| dread when he learned that the visit made
| to him, not in his character of debtor but as
| member of the committee of arrangements for
| the celebration of the Fourth. Swingleton
| asked many questions, waived the intimation
| that perhaps he ought to have been consulted
| 1ruegate by asking, with afectation
| OF modesty quite unusual to him,
il it. would be possible for him. as
| place on the programme that he might say a
| few words Then he inquired whether any prep
aration had been made to regale the more ma
terial part of the inner man and for fire works,
| and he again startled the committeeman out of
| his small remnant of composure by offering to
provide, entirely at his own expense, grand
| breakfast on the green, to be eaten Immediately
| after the ceremonies, and to give display of
| fireworks in the evening
| "Mercyl" said Truegate, while reporting the
| interview to his wife. 'he knocked me clean
| daft by saying he'd give me as much additional
| time as l might need to catch up on the mort
| the Fourth, if he could keep it. What do you
| suppose has got into himE'
Religion. may be-" suggested Mrs Truegate.
II don't know what else could make man of
| his kind care anything for the Fourth of July,
| or anything else but his property and money"
Truegate's amazement was quietly but quick
| ly distributed among the villagers, and aug.
mented almost daily in the week that preceded
| the Fourth. One dav the villagers were excited
by the arrival of the caterer, who came from the
| city. twenty miles away, to prepare the prom
| from which a tenant had been recently ejected)
| became the receptacle of MANY fireworks some
| of which were dIstingushable to the native eye,
| while others were strange and fearful combina-
| tions of framework and fuse But strangest
and most exciting of all were the information,
| which had its source in the humble home of
| little Dennis. that Swingeton had paid the boy
| a quarter to write out for him in full copy of
| the song which the boy had labored hard to
| memorize. and that he had learned, evidently by
listening to his office boy, TO whistle and hum
the music.
mis- explained to his parents. "but / reckon it's
cause his pipes is rusty: amt never hesrd him
whistle and sing before in all the time I've been
with him."
The Nations birthday anniversary dawned at
| last Thanks to free fre-crackers distributed
| the day before among the small boys, every
| denizen OF the village was awake in time to be
| present at the patriotic ceremonies There
| now surprise awaited them for in front of the
| little platform near the flagstaff grouped a
brass band, which Swingleton had in some way
| got out from the city. After the procession of
school children arrived the flag was hoisted in
military fashion by sedats viager who had
been soldier. AS it reached the top and was
'broke free" of the halyards the band played the
'Star-spangled Banner" followed by all the
other national airs. John Swingleton suddenly
rubbed the lower part of his forehead if he
had forgotten something he did it for two
three minutes. the greater part of his hand COW
ering his eyes Then came prayer, followed
by the Declaration of Independence, read by the
village school master. Swingleton looked. while
ne listened. if Re feared word might get lost
Init rha ipsta ant fha las I'd nff ha
grand finale dropped from the readers lips
Swingieton added to the programme by shouting:
Three cheers for the Deciaratonw
The audience, although surprised, responded
handsomely. Then all the chorus of children
stood up on the platform from which the Decla
ration had been read: little Dennis in his Sun
day clothes, edged his to the rail, and looked
anxiousy about, as if he were responsible for
more than his own share of the coming perform
arce He finally beckoned to his employer. and,
when Swingleton approached the platform. the
little fellow leaned forward and whispered loudly
enough for every one to hear
''kape close to me, Mr. > win gleton, an I'll
help you along wild the music"
Everybody laughed-no one could help 1t, and
for the first time il their lives they the
founder of the village Disconnected; nevertheless
little Denniss Injunction was obeyed, and the
great man faced all his tenants and debtors and
joined the children in their song. His voice
was about melodious frozen pumpkin
rolling a barn floor. but there great
deal of it, and it distributed sharps and fats in
manner which seemed quite a revelation to the
master of the city band who had heard a great
deal of that sort of thing during his professional
Then there was buzz Of expectancy, a stir
on the platform; the master of ceremonies came
forward followed by Swingleton. and said:
Ladies' and gentlemen, our distinguished fell
low-townsman. John Swingeton, esquire, will
now favor us with address"
The chairman fell back. Swingleton came to
the front. and little Dennis, pushing through
the crowd. leaned an elbow on the rail, put his
chin in his hand, and opened his mouth and
eyes very wide, that nothing should escape
him.
MY friends" said Swingetou, ''what / have
to say is too little and too simple deserve the
of address only want to you
that we, people. are not half grateful
enough for the blessings enjoy-blessings
such as have never come to any other nation on
the face of the earth. We've got a splendid